John Ross’s Character

stevew

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Recently I posted a series of questions and then tried to address the ideas brought up in the questions with two opposing show starters (A or B) about the character of John Ross - original thread. I was surprised that so many had wanted to see John Ross like his character on TNT and I couldn’t address this idea in either of my show starters. I guess I just didn’t like the character as written, though there were some fun aspects. Maybe I’m not seeing what others see.

Please explain what you like about John Ross as seen on TNT.
 

stevew

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Recently I posted a series of questions and then tried to address the ideas brought up in the questions with two opposing show starters (A or B) about the character of John Ross - original thread. I was surprised that so many had wanted to see John Ross like his character on TNT and I couldn’t address this idea in either of my show starters. I guess I just didn’t like the character as written, though there were some fun aspects. Maybe I’m not seeing what others see.

Please explain what you like about John Ross as seen on TNT.

BTW in my poll when I said:
As seen in TNT

I also added:
(a 40 year old looser)
 

DallasFanForever

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I can’t honestly say there was anything I liked about the character at all. Nothing against the actor himself but I just didn’t find the character very compelling. I actually found him quite boring but that’s just me
 

Sarah

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I'm glad you said that @DallasFanForever - I like the actor a lot, and have met Josh Henderson - and I'm gonna love John Ross because he's Sue Ellen's son ;) but he was too hard - much too hard. Not Josh's fault due to how he was written but I didn't have any love for John Ross in TNT, other than him being Sue Ellen's son. I hated Pamela as well, but that's a different conversation.
 

DallasFanForever

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Sarah I didn’t know you loved Sue Ellen? You really need to be more clear on that!

Just kidding

I just want to add that I felt like in TNT Dallas they spent too much time trying to make John Ross like his father, which I get. I understand his father is one of the most iconic characters of all time but it just felt like they went too far trying to pattern him exactly after J.R. instead of developing the character on its own. I could be wrong on that but that was always my observation. I didn’t watch the entire three seasons but from what I saw they were always trying to make him into another JR instead of allowing the character room to grow. And there could only be one J.R. A wink and a nod to his daddy once in awhile I can understand but I just think they overdid it at times
 

lbf522

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I hated how the writers wrote for John Ross. They wrote him as a loser that everything he did blew up in his face except for his rescuing Emma. Of all of JR's traits to give to him, they chose cheating? That was laziness on part of the writers. There were possibilities not explored.

JR's son married to Cliff's daughter was drama enough.

As for Pamela, as it has been said, the Ewings had already met her so this was silly. Also, her being nasty which made no sense or where it came from.
 

Brian Kinney

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Please explain what you like about John Ross as seen on TNT.

That's easy: the most interesting and sexiest character on TNT's Dallas. Of all the actors he (and later Judith Light) seemed to be the most comfortable in the series and enjoying every moment of it. Also part of their best scene ever - the threesome with Pamela and Emma - finally, welcome to the 2010's!
 

stevew

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That's easy: the most interesting and sexiest character on TNT's Dallas. Of all the actors he (and later Judith Light) seemed to be the most comfortable in the series and enjoying every moment of it. Also part of their best scene ever - the threesome with Pamela and Emma - finally, welcome to the 2010's!
Thank you.
 

Rove

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There was only one scene throughout TNT Dallas in which I liked John Ross. It was the kitchen scene between him and Sue Ellen. It was exactly what new Dallas should have focused on - not the fight between the cousins - but the tug-of-war between JR, John Ross and Sue Ellen. That kitchen scene displayed Josh's acting range and it also change my view of him and the character.

Instead of the writers trying to be clever and think us old farts wouldn't remember the Ewing boys had met Pamela Rebecca Barnes they would have been better off pairing John Ross and Pamela Rebecca from the beginning. This scenario then throws into the mix JR, Sue Ellen, Cliff and Afton. I might also have warmed to Pamela Rebecca but again the writers misfired on her.

Most of the series was hit and miss. Most of the characters were hit and miss.
 

stevew

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There was only one scene throughout TNT Dallas in which I liked John Ross. It was the kitchen scene between him and Sue Ellen. It was exactly what new Dallas should have focused on - not the fight between the cousins - but the tug-of-war between JR, John Ross and Sue Ellen. That kitchen scene displayed Josh's acting range and it also change my view of him and the character.

Instead of the writers trying to be clever and think us old farts wouldn't remember the Ewing boys had met Pamela Rebecca Barnes they would have been better off pairing John Ross and Pamela Rebecca from the beginning. This scenario then throws into the mix JR, Sue Ellen, Cliff and Afton. I might also have warmed to Pamela Rebecca but again the writers misfired on her.

Most of the series was hit and miss. Most of the characters were hit and miss.
I agree. The war between the Ewing's should have been:

John Ross vs. JR and vs. Sue Ellen. Scenes like that in the kitchen were gold.

Chris vs. Bobby

"What the hell you mean you're marrying Elena!"

"We were meant to be together and John Ross got in the way."

"That was Elena's choice. And now you're going to step in after she's been with John Ross! What the hell's wrong with you?"

"It's my business daddy. You just have to accept it."

"Hell if I do. This is my family and I'm not gonna stand by while you bring in some girl that was suppose to marry you cousin. You really want to fight me on this boy! I had to deal with my brother and his sleezy behavior, I sure as hell ain't gonna stand by while you do the same with that girl!"

Then Bobby goes to Sue Ellen to muscle Elena out of the company and when Chris confronts him, he says, "I already told you, I'm not tolerating it. Keep pushing me boy and I'll squeeze you right out along with her."



That an a scene where the boys get in a bar fight and Bobby wishes he'd been there. "Well, nothing I like better than a little fight now and then."
 

Brian Kinney

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Instead of the writers trying to be clever and think us old farts wouldn't remember the Ewing boys had met Pamela Rebecca Barnes they would have been better off pairing John Ross and Pamela Rebecca from the beginning. This scenario then throws into the mix JR, Sue Ellen, Cliff and Afton.
That was my biggest disappointment with TNT's Dallas. They could've had a next generation Ewings vs. Barnes with Pamela Rebecca and John Ross on one side (and imagine that with David Jacob's idea that John Ross should have been the good guy) and J.R./Sue Ellen and Cliff/ Afton on TWO sides to fight against. But instead they did just another J.R. vs. Bobby/ Ray with John Ross vs. Christopher. With Jesse Metcalfe who isn't a bad actor but didn't have the appeal of a young Patrick Duffy either - he often looked like someone with toothache.

When Afton appeared it was too little and too late (also because of Cliff's irredeemable change). As Lucy and Ray before and Gary and Valene after her a total misuse of a legacy character. I know NuDynasty isn't very popular here but despite all criticism I never felt as betrayed with their character changes and I even favour some.
 
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Seaviewer

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I know NuDynasty isn't very popular here but despite all criticism I never felt as betrayed with their character changes and I even favour some.
I haven't seen NuDynasty (I guess it's on some streaming service I don't subscribe to) but I imagine that changes would be easier to take since it's essentially a new show. Dallas TNT was, supposedly, a continuation. They either didn't do their homework or deliberately chose to ignore it.
 

stevew

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I really liked the character he was my favourite of the new generation.
I agree if this was 10 years prior I think I would have been good with most of his character and the stories around him. My only complaint was by his early 30s I always had this feeling of why now? Where’d all this come from. I get he felt cheated out of South Fork and that his father squanders away his grandfather’s legacy, but I get that because I saw the original, movies included, so I’m left to feel like what the hell happened. If I had not seen such, I’d still wonder what happened to make things this way. I don’t feel they did a good job here and probably because they were told to ignore the movies. Idk.

I also liked Judith. I wasn’t thrilled with “momma likes” and I think they should have had her keep her and Rylan as big of enemies as anyone considering their relationship, but I did like her appearances and licking Judith Light was a very good move. If there was a hidden Dallas daughter, her as Jock’s daughter would have worked for me.
 

Justine

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I liked John Ross' character - he was a good balance of J.R. and Sue Ellen. He was ambitious and driven but also insecure and reckless. I also think that Josh Henderson's acting ability and chemistry with Larry and Linda played a huge part in how much I enjoyed watching him - he blended very well between the 'old' and 'new' cast members.

That said, there were some definite flaws in the writing. I disliked the narrative of J.R. being an absentee father and Sue Ellen being the one responsible for that by "hiding him away in boarding schools." There was so much drama to pull from the original series - John Ross could have resented his father for his affairs or business deals that put the company in jeopardy, and he could have resented Sue Ellen for her drinking - so it seemed silly to make new things up.
 

juschill

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I can’t honestly say there was anything I liked about the character at all. Nothing against the actor himself but I just didn’t find the character very compelling. I actually found him quite boring but that’s just me
I hated him season one but he eventually grew on me.

I think the actor did a good job with what was given to him.
 
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